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Avast Threat Labs - File whitelisting

Avast file whitelisting is a service provided mainly to software developers to reduce the risk of false positive detections. A false positive is any clean file flagged as malicious.

How does file whitelisting work?

When you submit application files to the Avast Threat Labs, a group of analysts review the software for malicious or unwanted activity. Applications that are both free from malware and meet our guidelines for application transparency can be whitelisted.

If determined clean, the submitted file is moved to our set of approved files to ensure it is no longer flagged as malicious.

Vendors who sign their applications with digital signatures can apply for whitelisting via their digital signature. This type of whitelisting is provided to a limited number of digital signatures, and only if the software developer has a clean track record.

Avast reserves the right to refuse to whitelist any application.

Which types of files can I submit?

Submit files for which you have the authorization to request approval. Do not submit game hacks, cracks, keygens, or similar apps.

Upload only complete files. Partially uploaded or broken files and delta-update files won't be considered for analysis or whitelisting. If you submit multiple files, pack them to save space. Use ZIP archive when compressing files.

What are the best practices for clean software?

Are uploaded samples confidential?

Uploaded files are only visible to Avast Threat Labs analysts.

Avast does not collect any personal information from files submitted for whitelisting. Avast reserves the right to share the uploaded samples with other security companies for research purposes, along with the information that the whitelisted samples are virus free.